The police, crime, sentencing and courts bill is a controversial bill introduced into parliament on the 9th of March 2021. It is an immense piece of legislation standing at 307 pages long, it has caused immense dislike towards the home secretary Priti Patel, and the labour party have strongly opposed its passing.  

 

The bill was under the most criticism for the extended power the police now have to end protests. It grants police chiefs the ability to impose a start and finish time, set noise limits, apply rules about the demonstration via just one person. The bill gets more extreme with it stating that if there is an individual holding a protest placard whilst speaking through a speaker, the police can fine them up to £2,500 if they don’t follow police directions. 

 

Perhaps the most drastic law is the legislation stating that any damage to memorials can lead to a 10 year prison sentence. The law follows the toppling of the statue of the slave trader, Eward Closton, in Bristol. 

 

The law has also been criticized after the events at the Sarah Everad vigil, which saw met police officers storming a peaceful demonstration at clapham common. Priti Patel however sees the bill as an absolute success, she sees the current laws for protests as outdated and says “In recent years we've seen significant change in protest tactics, with protesters exploiting gaps in the law which have led to disruption.” 

 

Nonetheless, members of the public are appalled by it passing and hundreds of people gathered outside houses of parliament on the 14th of March, in response to the handling of the Sarah Everad vigil chanting “Kill the Bill”. 

Millie Gadwah, a 17 year old student who has attended numerous protests states “It’s a violation of our rights.”

Tom Cadley, a passionate activist declares “It's an absolute disgrace. It is authoritarianism in the 21st century.”